Mobile Market aims to address food insecurity

Learn more about the 60-foot grocery store on wheels now open in Lexington.

A truck pulling the Mobile Market.

The city’s first mobile market brings food and other staples to underserved communities. | Photo courtesy of God’s Pantry Food Bank

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Lettuce tell you about a new program that aims to address food accessibility in the area.

Through a partnership with Kroger and God’s Pantry, the city has officially opened our first-ever Mobile Market, a traveling grocery aisle that sells pantry staples, essentials, and fresh produce.

How the rolling oasis came to be

A 2020 report from the city’s Racial Justice and Equality Commission found that several of our local neighborhoods were in the middle of food deserts, meaning Lexingtonians are living in areas “that are not close to food sources,” Mayor Linda Gorton said in a previous press conference.

In fact, according to the USDA, 13.1% of Kentucky households are food insecure.

“People are choosing fast food options because it costs less and is closer to where they live,” said Tiffany Brown, the city’s Equity and Implementation Officer. “We are finally ready and able to meet a need that is so prevalent to our community.

Thanks to the mobile market, nutritious and affordable food will be brought directly to the community.

How it works

Every month, the 60-ft truck-trailer is scheduled to make a total of 60 stops around Lexington, Tuesdays-Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A full schedule can be found on the city’s website.

Here, residents can shop through the single-aisle grocer and select from fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and household staples like cleaning products. On-site staff will also be available to help those with disabilities shop for their needs, and Mayor Gorton added, a ramp will soon be installed into the trailer.

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